Welcome back *|FNAME|*! We’re tired of talking about the 🌧, so instead let’s start the week talking about Brightline. We took the new high-speed rail up to West Palm Beach on Friday to give it a little test drive.

The WiFi was video-call level good, and Downtown West Palm Beach is pretty cute (with a killer grilled cheese right off the stop). Missed it? You can follow the whole journey by heading to our Instagram highlights.

A rendering of the indoor ski slope planned for American Dream Miami. In 2022, you may be able to take a ski vacation off the Turnpike. (Courtesy of American Dream Miami)

DOES THIS ☝️LOOK LIKE THE AMERICAN DREAM?

Earlier this month, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved plans for American Dream Miami, a $4 billion mall/theme park that will include retail, a water park, and indoor ski slopes.

When built in northwest Miami-Dade, it will be the biggest mall in the United States.

A lot of you were not about it, judging by the comments when we shared the news. Retail is dying, you said. What about local businesses and stores, you asked. You pointed to our region’s major issues with water – too much of it in places where it shouldn’t be, and not enough of it where it needs to be – and said this would just make things worse.

These are all solid points. But there was only one “no” vote on the county commission: Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava. She shared with us why she put her foot down.

THE TRAFFIC: The mall is expected to bring an additional 70,000 people a day, mostly tourists, to the area. But it’s seven miles from the closest transit corridor, which would mean doubling the size of the turnpike and widening local roads to help people get there. And our transit system is already in a “near-crisis state” because of budget cuts, she writes.

THE ECONOMY: “After construction, American Dream Miami will provide mostly low-wage jobs in a community suffering one of the worst housing and transportation affordability crises in the nation,” Levine-Cava writes. She tried to get affordable housing included in the project, but American Dream Miami declined to put anything in writing, which means there’s no guarantee it will happen.

THE ENVIRONMENT: “This massive development will pave over hundreds of acres of wetlands on the sprawling western fringe of our county to build 6 million square feet of air conditioned space that includes indoor snow skiing and a water park,” Levine-Cava reminds us. Those wetlands are crucial to helping drain the area during heavy rain and high tides. And it takes a whole lot of energy to power a massive project like this. Imagine the A.C. bill for that indoor ski slope.

THE TL;DR: “On May 17, we faced a serious choice about our future: focus on the SMART plan to relieve traffic and spur economic growth within our existing communities, or divert already inadequate transit and roadway funds to move low paid jobs to the western edge of our county for a development that will likely seek public subsidy, worsen traffic, and jeopardize our water supply and environment. We chose the latter,” Levine-Cava writes.

Hit the pavement, improve your city. We’re loving this Runner’s World feature on Frankie Ruiz, Miami’s runner-in-chief, on how runners can make their cities better. His mission is to encourage runners to experience their city by hitting the pavement, then empowering them to fight for better, safer streets. Hundreds show up every week for Brickell Run Club, which Frankie helped launch, so we’d say he’s well on his way. (Runner’s World)

Break out the ice cubes. Even though Florida faced its first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season this weekend, before the season even started, hurricane forecasters say that this year won’t be as bad as last year. But because their predictions are based on the temperature of the Atlantic ocean, they warned that storms could end up being stronger than they expect if water temperatures rise above average. (Miami Herald)

The next generation. Jorge Pérez, aka Miami’s “condo king,” transformed the city skyline, then transformed the cultural scene with his contribution to what is now the Pérez Art Museum Miami. But he’s getting ready to step back, travel the world, and focus on his art collection. When he does, his eldest son Jon Paul Pérez, will step up. Get to know him and the role he’s played in Wynwood’s development. (BisNow)

David vs Goliath. The families of two of the students killed in the Parkland shooting are suing American Outdoor Brands and Sunrise Tactical Supply, the manufacturer and seller of the gun that Nikolas Cruz used to kill their children. It’s a risky move: there’s a law in Florida that makes those who sue gun manufacturers and sellers – like these parents are doing – liable for legal fees and any lost income from the companies they sue. That could be in the millions for American Outdoor Brands. It’s definitely a case to watch. (WLRN)

BULLETIN BOARD

The Miami Bayside Foundation is offering a free small biz training for minority and female entrepreneurs on accounting, marketing, and more. It kicks off July 12, and registration ends June 12. Find out more and sign up here.

Do you have an idea for making Miami-Dade more friendly to its elderly residents? Apply for a mini grant from the Age-Friendly Initiative. Applications are due June 15. Find details here. Thanks to reader Isabel Kilzi Rovira for the tip!

Got an opportunity, workshop, scholarship, grant, etc. you want other curious locals to know about? Hit us up at [email protected] to have it listed here.